Posted on 09/06/2024 3:48:12 PM PDT by AbolishCSEU
A lithium-ion battery was behind a Thursday night fire in Auburn.
According to the Auburn Fire Department, the call came in just before 10:30p of a fire on Liberty St. While en route, units were told that explosions were observed in the kitchen and the residents could still be inside.
Once on scene, crews had the fire under control within ten minutes.
No one was injured and three cats were rescued; however, four adults were displaced.
It has been determined by fire investigators that a battery charging on the kitchen counter was behind the blaze.
This is the second fire in three weeks in the city that has been caused by an exploding lithium-ion battery. The first occurred on August 15 at the Inn at the Finger Lakes when an e-bike battery caught fire while charging.
The fire department is once again urging residents to follow the user’s manual instructions for the battery and to unplug the battery once it is fully charged. Also, batteries should be stored away from anything flammable.
(Excerpt) Read more at fingerlakesdailynews.com ...
Proper charger? Abused or damaged battery?
Hopefully the solid-state batteries and other alternatives are on the way that aren't as susceptible to fire danger.
There's an Iron-Air battery that works by rusting and un-rusting that is too heavy for cars, but perfect for power grid battery backup.
Those will never explode.
"...It is often said that LFP batteries are safer than NMC storage systems, but recent research suggests that this is an overly simplified view...."
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2024/04/10/how-safe-are-lithium-iron-phosphate-batteries/
Energy resents being confined. If it isn't trying to escape, it's not very energetic.
“Also, batteries should be stored away from anything flammable.”
Everything in the house is flammable unless it’s asbestos
Charge your batteries in the fireplace.
Don’t forget to open the damper.
That is, actually, a good idea.
Good idea. I try recharging my batteries on a non-flammable surface, away from other flammables. However, if a battery on fire burst it might fling flaming sparks elsewhere. Many homes, mine included, have lots of batteries to charge from various modern conveniences. Not practicable to do in my fireplace, I converted it to an electric fireplace all walled in. A 2nd belly fireplace has no electrical hookup.
I've read that a metal trashcan with metal lid would work well for recharging.
Mine escaped.
Auburn has this ancient relic of a state prison that overlooks an amazing steak place.
Print out the info from the above and keep it handy. :-)
A fire bucket and a pair of welding gloves IF you have time to safely trasnsport outside and call 911.
Also, an appropriately sized fire blanket (but boy, are fire blankets expensive) to throw over the dang thing. Then bug out and call 911.
You could maybe buy a cheap BBQ grill & convert it to a battery charging station & mount a smoke detector to the cover.
There are a lot of cheaply made batteries out there. (Chinaaa!)
“Auburn has this ancient relic of a state prison”
It’s not a relic, it is actually still in operation. But it sure is old.
It’s also where NY State license plates are made.
Link not work for me, I’ll search online.
That gives me an idea. I have a toaster oven that I use for powder-coating metal items. I can easily use that to be a battery charging station, as it is made to contain heat and fire. Usually I set it outdoors to powder-coat due to chemical odors, but no reason why I can't use it in the garage for charging lithium batteries.
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